Politics
Tampa General Hospital is working to improve health care access in rural Palm Beach County communities
Through a series of strategic partnerships, Tampa General Hospital continues to expand access to world-class care and transform health care delivery through innovation and technology. The latest announcement aligns closely with Senate President Ben Albritton’s priority of sparking a Rural Renaissance in the Sunshine State.
Tampa General Hospital and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County reached an agreement earlier this year for Tampa General to provide administrative leadership, operational management and strategic support for Lakeside Medical Center, the Health Care District’s public teaching hospital in Belle Glade.
“With this agreement, we’re extending the strategic, operational and clinical expertise we offer at Tampa General to support the leadership, providers and teams at Lakeside Medical Center and expand access to world-class care in the Glades,” said John Couris, President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “It’s the best of both worlds — high quality care close to home.”
Florida’s rural areas, like most other states across the nation, have historically experienced a lack of access to high-quality health care. While the state of Florida has made strides to close the gap, there is still more work to be done. Studies have shown that rural communities experience a 40% higher preventable hospitalization rate and a 23% higher mortality rate compared to urban communities.
Lakeside Medical Center, which opened in Belle Glade in 2009, is run by the Palm Beach County Health District. The District’s Board of Commissioners approved a Management and Administrative Services Agreement during an open session on Dec. 11 after hearing a presentation from Tampa General leadership. Effective Feb. 1, Tampa General will work with Lakeside Medical Center to enhance quality of care, strengthen clinical training, recruitment and retention, and improve financial status.
“This strategic partnership combines the strengths of both organizations to advance access to high-quality health care for underserved populations,” said Darcy J. Davis, Health Care District of Palm Beach County President and CEO. “By joining forces with Tampa General, the health and wellness of our Glades communities will prosper for generations.”
Tampa General appointed Ron Doncaster vice president of business operations and integration at Lakeside Medical Center. In this role, Doncaster will oversee operations, facilitate service integration, supervise personnel and offer recommendations for innovative programming and expansion opportunities.
Doncaster takes on this role with decades of experience in health care leadership and administration, having managed operations at some of the nation’s most prestigious health care systems, including Mass General Brigham. Most recently, he served as Interim Chief Operating Officer at Tampa General, overseeing all clinical and operational strategies and managing partnerships with key constituents.
“Our No. 1 goal is to meet the needs of the community,” Doncaster said. “With improved delivery models and expanded access to specialists, we can elevate the level of care available in the community without losing the personal service only a local hospital can provide.”
Couris, Davis and Doncaster, along with Stacey Brandt, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Tampa General, participated in a town hall last week with the team at Lakeside to outline their joint vision for Lakeside and answer questions.
Belle Glade residents have responded with overwhelming support for the strategic partnership. “It’ll be a game-changer for this community,” resident Connie Boldin Jr., told CBS 12 in West Palm Beach.
Under the agreement, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County maintains ownership of the hospital and its assets. The agreement does not impact the rights or obligations of Health Care District employees assigned to Lakeside Medical Center.
Tampa General’s work with Lakeside Medical Center marks an expansion of Tampa General’s existing network of providers and services in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, which already includes primary care, cancer care, digestive health, kidney care, radiation, oncology and general surgery.
Tampa General is one of the largest and most innovative academic health systems in the nation. The system features more than 150 care locations across the Sunshine State. TGH is ranked No. 2 in Florida and a top 50 hospital nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
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Politics
Obscene heckler doesn’t stop bill targeting ‘academic boycott’ of Israel from advancing in Senate
The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee was the first Senate panel to approve Sen. Tom Leek’s measure (SB 1678) which would defend Israel against its opponents in schools and non-governmental agencies.
That bill suggests anti-Israeli actions undertaken by “an educational institution, a nonprofit organization, an agency, a local governmental entity or unit thereof, or a foreign government” amount to an “academic boycott.”
It urges cessation of state contracts and grants with those entities on the wrong side of the ideological conflict if they don’t change their ways.
These entities would have 90 days to correct their noncompliance and be removed from what would be called the Scrutinized Companies or Other Entities that Boycott Israel List under this proposal. Otherwise, the state would divest itself of contracts with them.
Even before Leek could speak, a member of the crowd called the bill “f****** b*******.” She was immediately excused from the room.
A delete all amendment clarified that public funds, such as the State Board of Administration or State University System, cannot invest in these companies. Additionally, it requires that Arts and Culture grants not go to support antisemitic work.
The bill would also target agreements, like foreign exchange programs, with foreign universities deemed to be supporting antisemitism.
Members of the public complained about the legislation, saying it restricted “academic freedom” and offered support to an Israeli regime they find objectionable.
However, others said the bill was necessary.
Miami Beach City Commissioner David Suarez noted the Boycott Divestment and Sanction movement was targeting cities like his, and the legislation was a way to counter “hateful campaigns from a noisy minority.”
Chair Randy Fine hailed Leek for carrying the bill, saying he’d worried about leaving Tallahassee and having no one carry this kind of legislation,
Leek’s bill has two more committee references.
Rep. Hillary Cassel’s bill (HB 1519) the companion legislation, also has two stops in the House. But it has yet to have a committee hearing.
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